“O’ Our Lord! On thee (alone) do we rely; and unto Thee (only) do we turn! And unto Thee (alone) is (our) final return.” 60:4
Hijab is not merely a covering, but more importantly, it is a behavior, comprised of manners, speech, and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The Glorious Qur’an says that piety is the best of clothes.
The basic requirement of the Muslim woman’s dress applies to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. A man is to cover from navel to knee, while a woman covers her entire body except for her face, hands and feet.
For men, basic modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Note that while women are allowed to wear gold or silk, both are forbidden for men. [Dress embroidered with silk (for which pure silk neck ties might be an extension) are permitted by a hadith only if it does not exceed three fingers in width.]
Every believing woman has been commanded to wear an over-garment or a covering mantle so that her feminine beauty might not attract the attention of men to stimulate evil intentions. This covering would also indicate that the woman is pure, chaste, modest and of good character, and would not tolerate the least overtures or disregard to her chaste womanhood. Consequently, even the worst of men would hesitate to cast even an evil look on such a chaste one. However, without such a protection, the environment indirectly invites overtures and encourages illicit romance. [To Be Continued Insha’Allah]
A large number of requests, through phone calls, letters, and in person, have been received from those who are interested in the AL-KUFA Newsletter, Dawah program, the Prayer Time-Table and also from those who filled the Free Subscription / Cancellation Form for the AL-KUFA Newsletter. If you receive more than one copy of this newsletter via a duplicate mailing, you can help us correct this by informing us and we thank you for that. Please share this newsletter as well as other material you receive from us, including the Glorious Qur'an with others, Jazakum Allah Khair.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of you. Because of the large numbers of letters that AL-KUFA has received, we will acknowledge and publish only some of these letters each time, and we are unable to include references due to space limitations. Our purpose of publishing these letters is to (a) make a certain plea known to the public in order that they might respond for the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), (b) make us all aware of certain circumstances, or (c) to share a joyous news as well as to make Dua'as and Prayers for those who are ill or have lost a loved one, and also for the one they have lost. NOTE: For those who are interested in announcing the birth of a child, sponsorship of orphan/child, graduation, wedding, death, or to publish matrimonial or employment interests, please contact the Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge {you must include a telephone number for matrimonial advertisements}. Those who send letters and e-mails, please also provide the Center with your telephone numbers. In addition, brothers and sisters who are requesting of us various Islamic materials and messages, please provide us with a full name, postal address, telephone number, and e-mail address. If this is to be sent to an institution, please ensure that the institution will accept such material(s), even if it is just the AL-KUFA Newsletter. Please type your request(s) and sign the paper. Insha'Allah, we will continue sending this newsletter to whoever wishes to receive it. Also, we request readers to let us know their new addresses when they relocate. Thank you brothers and sisters, and may Allah reward all of you. Jazakum Allah Khairan.
AL-KUFA received letters, e-mails faxes and telephone calls:
They started their letters with the Name of Allah,“BISM-ILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-lR-RAHIM” and their greetings,“Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh”, and they ended their letter with the greeting,“Wa Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh.”
Masha’Allah, many who visited the Center and/or contacted us, became our brothers and sisters in Islam.
Segments of letters received from sister Freedom in Virginia:
Hello. My name is Freedom. I am an 18-year-old woman who lives in Virginia. Just within the past two months, I have started to read up on Islam and have begun to have the wool pulled from over my eyes. I posted a request on website, for someone I could contact in my area, to learn about Islam, and a man named Thad referred me to you. I am interested in meeting with you sometime to discuss one on one some of my questions, after reading books and passages from every source available, so that I can have them answered through personal contact. This wonderful tool, the Internet, has brought me my way and, without the Guidance of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala), I fear that I may have been forever in the dark.
I have come to the final conclusion that Islam is what I need. I feel that this way of life of following the one true God will help me until my dying day and beyond. I know what you said to me once that this is not a decision that I should take lightly, but I feel that I am making the right decision. My life is on taking a turn, and some things are going as planned while others are not, but I am taking it all in stride. I think that is all that I wanted to say for now. I have been thinking of a name change, and I would love to keep the name that I have, yet, I would also like to have a Muslim name to further identify myself with the Muslims. Please, pray for me, I need encouragement now. Thank you. So, I leave you in God's hands, may He take care of you.
Segments of a letter received from sister Sahar in Australia:
First of I would I like to appreciate your kind deeds of spreading such good words around for all of us Muslims in different parts of the world. May Allah help and bless you people out there.
Second, I am presently in a dilemma, and I thought that you might be the best help I could receive. I have strong intentions of adopting Hijab (I live in Australia, a society where nobody wears the Hijab) and I can't make my feelings strong enough. Please, I would like to have a few words form your side to convince me about my decision. Waiting impatiently for your reply. Thank you very much.
Masha’Allah, brothers and sisters are continuously in contact with the Center. Sister Freedom and others wrote several letters and they visited the Center several times. During her last visit, sister Freedom became a Muslim. Also, we advice sister Sahar and other to visit our WebSite where we have published articles on the Hijab and other matters of concern. Insha’Allah, we will answer their specific questions and may Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) protect us and guide us to the right path with His blessings to all, Ameen.
With the prayers from our brothers and sisters, Insha’Allah, a day will come where we will have a place for the Center to hold all Islamic activities, including Friday prayers. The Glorious Qur'an says,“Those whom Allah (in His plan) willeth to guide, He openeth their breast to Islam; those whom He willeth to leave astray, He maketh their breast close and constricted, as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus doth Allah (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe.” 6:125
Our thanks and appreciation to all brothers and sisters, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, who sent letters, faxes, e-mails, postcards, publications or phone calls, or came in person to the Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge (KCIK), and for their support of the AL-KUFA Newsletter, the KUFA School, and the KUFA Public Library, from within the United States and abroad. The kind expressions of the readers, encouraging us to continue this Newsletter are especially appreciated. As for financial help, our thanks and appreciation to all brothers and sisters among our generous readers for their support. Please note: you may specify the purpose of your donations(s), unless you give us permission to use your donations(s) wherever they are needed most and where your donation(s) can most effectively assist, especially for the AL-KUFA Newsletter. All donation(s) and gifts are acknowledged with a tax-deductible receipt (unless otherwise requested) and we thank you for sharing your gifts from Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) with us. As the fruit of this mission begins to blossom. Insha'Allah, large numbers will receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter. The Glorious Qur’an says,“(Say): We feed you only for the pleasure of Allah; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks. And they spend (benevolently) of what We have provided them with, secretly and openly, and they repel evil with good; for these is the (happy) attainment of the (Eternal) abode.” 76:9 & 13:22
We are very grateful to all sources that sent us publications, their
communications about Islam, Muslim community affairs, and educational articles,
and to many individuals and institutions in the United States and abroad.
Masha’Allah, these publications are all excellent and those who have borrowed
them have enjoyed reading them. These publications are inventoried in the
KUFA Public Library and some have been mailed to our brothers and sisters
in the prisons and other places.
In addition, our thanks to all brothers and sisters who took the time
to write or call KCIK, and informed us about the change of their addresses
or their desire to receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter. Remember, it costs us
to distribute this newsletter to thousands of readers, and only a few continue
their support of it. Please be aware of this and send your donations to
cover the cost for mailing, etc., to AL-KUFA. Please also inform us of
any change in address. When a newsletter is returned to us, it costs us
up to $1.60 in some cases. This is a waste of resources. Please, let us
avoid this loss.
Our thanks and appreciation to our brothers and sisters from Virginia, Illinois, and Morocco who respectively donated $300; $50; and $1. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) make the pure things of sustenance flow unto all, Ameen. The Glorious Qur’an says,“Verily, Verily, your guardian is (none else but) Allah, and His Nabiy (Muhammad) and those who believe, those who establish prayer and pay the poor-rate, while they be (even) bowing down (in prayer). Whoever taketh Allah and His Apostle (Nabiy Muhammad) as his guardian, and those who believe, verily, (he hath joined) Allah’s party. They are those that shall (always) be triumphant. And the believing men and women, they are guardians of one another; they enjoin good and forbid evil and they establish (regular) prayer and pay the poor-rate and obey Allah and His Nabiy (Muhammad). Allah will bestow on them His mercy; Verily Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” 5:55-56 Blessings of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) upon you all now and always. Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your donations and support. May the Almighty Lord reward all of you in this life and in the hereafter. The Glorious Qur’an says,“You will never attain piety unless you spend on others out of what you dearly cherish.” 3:92
Just remember that any money you pay to support KCIK, KUFA School, KUFA Public Library and AL-KUFA Newsletter is paid to strengthen the word of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) and for the sake of spreading Islam. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) bless you all, give you courage and provide you with resources to continue your support. The Glorious Qur’an says,“Say (O' Our Apostle (Nabiy Muhammad!)' If ye do love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you.” 3:30 Jazakum Allah Khair (MAY ALLAH REWARD YOU WITH GOODNESS).
The Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge is entirely dependent on your financial contributions. The AL-KUFA Newsletter especially needs your support to cover its monthly costs. So, please share with us a fair contribution for this newsletter to enable it to continue. In addition, we receive a large number of requests for the AL-KUFA Newsletter. If you don't receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter, it is only because we don't have enough funds to cover the costs, especially for overseas shipping including Canada. [Note to our brothers and sisters in prison: please check with your institutions if you did receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter, and if you received it, then please share it with other brothers and/or sisters. We included the previous issues of the AL-KUFA Newsletter with our parcel to prison libraries. Those in any prison who haven’t received their packages including a copy of the Glorious Qur’an, please request your chaplain and/or any representative of that facility to contact the Center, and Insha’Allah, we will be able to send it. Also, as part of Dawah program, brothers and sisters who would like to have someone visit them and/or call them on the telephone (for about 20 minutes) to talk about Islam, please request the chaplain/officer of that institution to contact the KCIK. We can arrange (at our expense) for people to call specific individuals, or to call a group of Muslims over a speaker phone, at an appointed time to provide lessons or answer questions on Islam, Insha’Allah.
In addition, it is our responsibility to bring to your attention, our dear readers, that we are in desperate need for a place to teach and in need of resources {Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh, and other Islamic books}. Islamic newsletters, Bulletin of Affiliation, Islamic magazines, newspapers and other Islamic materials were received from many Islamic institutions. Insha'Allah, many individuals and publishers will participate in this Dawah program. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) reward you for your efforts, and enable you to do good deeds in this life, and bless you and your family in this world and in the hereafter.
Our special thanks to those who visited the Center and/or borrowed books and other material. O’ Lord increase our knowledge and guide all of us to the right path, Ameen. Any donation (s) will aid us in our Dawah program as well as benefit the KUFA Public Library. Thank you, and may Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) reward you with goodness.
For the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), we therefore request
you to assist us financially or materially in all of our programs. We particularly
request you to bring this plea to the attention of your community, and
encourage them to donate their Islamic charities to this cause. Jazakum
Allah Khair (MAY ALLAH REWARD YOU WITH GOODNESS).
A genuine believer commands others to righteous conduct, and forbids misconduct as an inalienable part of his/her life. It is reported,“Always bid the members of society to virtues and practice them yourself. Beware, lest you be one of those who bid others to do good, but refrain yourself from it, for otherwise the sinfulness of such a conduct will overtake you and Allah’s warth shall seize you.” The Glorious Qur’an says,“Why do you say that which you do not do (yourself)? It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that you speak that which you do not do.” Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) said,“My followers shall live in good welfare as long as they do not abandon the duty of bidding of good conduct and forbidding misconduct, and they cooperate with one another in good works. But when they abandon this program in life, the blessings will be withdrawn from them and some of them shall be imposed as burdens on the rest. As a result they will suffer, and they will neither find any refuge on the earth, nor any helper will come to their aid from anywhere.” The Glorious Qur’an says,“Ye are the best group that hath been brought forth for mankind: Ye enjoin goodness and ye forbid evil.” 3:110
It has been narrated that a wife of Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] was once asked,“What is the most striking or amazing incident that you can relate regarding the Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam]?” She replied that all that he did and said was amazingly striking, but one of the most momentous occasions occurred when he once spent the night at her apartment adjacent to his mosque in Medina during the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijj. That night, he asked her permission if he could spend the night in prayers. She replied that it pleased her most to conform to his wishes. The next morning, when Hazrat Bilal (Radhi’Allah Anho) came for Fajr prayers, the Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] greeted him and told him,“Oh Bilal, Gibriel (Alayhi Salaam) visited me tonight, and do you know what Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) has revealed?” And then he recited the following verses (3: 189 – 193).
“In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, there are surely signs for men of understanding.
Those who remember Allah standing, and sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Our Lord, Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee! Save us from the chastisement of the Fire.
Our Lord, whomsoever Thou makest to enter the Fire, him Thou indeed bringest to disgrace. And there will be no helpers for the wrongdoers.
Our Lord, surely we have heard a Crier calling to the faith, saying: Believe in your Lord. So we do believe. Our Lord, grant us protection from our sins and remove our evils and make us die with the righteous.
Our Lord, grant us what Thou hast promised us by thy messengers, and disgrace us not on the day of Resurrection. Surely, Thou never failest in Thy promise!”
Having recited these glorious words as Hazrat Bilal (Radhi’Allah Anho) stood in awe listening to them, Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] then said,“Woe to anyone who reads these verses and fails to reflect on them.”
The first two verses above point out two distinguishing characteristics that are cohabitant in a true Muhmin. Neither are such people purely recluses who retire to a corner of personal solitude for the remembrance of Allah, nor do they pursue science and the conquest of nature as their Deen, without ever thinking of the Grand Creator and the Master of the universe and its laws. [To Be Continued Insha’Allah]
My Master! O He upon whom I depend! O He to whom I ask relief of my miseries. My Lord! My Lord! My Lord! Strengthen my limbs in Your service; fortify my heart in determination; and bestow upon me earnestness in my fear of You and continuity in my being joined to Your service, so that I may move easily toward You in the battlefields of the foremost, hurry to You among the prominent, desire fervently Your proximity among the fervently desirous, move near to You with the nearness of the sincere, fear You with the fear of those who have conviction, and gather with the believers in Your nearness.
Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) said,“Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully.”
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) says in the Glorious Qur’an,“And give me a goodly mention in the hereafter (after I am gone).”